How to Free Up Your Space in Xiaomi Cloud: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) is an indispensable tool for backing up data from Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi smartphones. However, even 5 GB of free space (or 100 GB for premium users) eventually run out. High-resolution photos, automatic app backups, camera recordings all take up precious gigabytes. But don't rush to buy additional space! 90% of the time, you can vacate space without cost, just by optimizing storage.

The problem is that many users don't know which files are taking up the most space, and they blindly delete everything, which can lead to the loss of important data. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean Xiaomi Cloud, from basic (remove the cart) to advanced (sync settings), and you will also learn which files can be safely deleted and which ones should not be touched - even if they take up a lot of space.

1. Checking Occupied Space: What Is Your Cloud Eating?

Before you delete something, you need to figure out what exactly takes up space. Mi Cloud has a built-in storage analyzer, but it's hidden in the depths of the menu.

Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi smartphone, then go to Accounts → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud. Here you will see a graph of occupied space, broken down into categories: Photos, Videos, Backups, Notes, and more. Click on any category to see a detailed report.

Note the Other Files section, which often hides temporary data, app cache, and outdated backups, for example, if you haven’t used the Mi Fit app in a long time, its backups can take up to 1-2 GB without your knowledge.

• 📊 Photos and videos — usually take up 60 to 80 percent of the space, especially if you have automatic backup enabled in the original quality.
• 📱 Backups – backups of the system, applications and SMS. They can weigh up to 3-5 GB each if they were made on older versions. MIUI.
• 📝 Notes and documents – often forget that Mi Notes and WPS Office syncs files to the cloud.
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin - Deleted files are stored here for 30 days and continue to take up space.

⚠️ Note: If you see Unknown files with a volume of more than 500 MB, this may be due to a synchronization failure, in which case it is better to first reset the cloud cache (instructions in the file file). FAQ), And then delete the data.

2.Remove unnecessary backups: how not to lose important?

Backups are the main space eater in Xiaomi Cloud, and many users don’t even know that their smartphone creates backups of the system, apps and settings every week, and old copies are not automatically deleted.

To view and remove unnecessary backups:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup.
2. Click on Backup Management.
3. Select a device (if there are several) and review the list of copies sorted by date.
4. Delete all copies except the most recent. To do so, click on the three dots next to the date and select Delete.

Note that app backups (like WhatsApp or Viber) are stored separately, and can be found in the Applications section inside the Xiaomi Cloud, and if you haven’t used the messenger in a long time, you can remove its backups — they take up to 1-1.5 GB.

Outdated copies of the system (over 3 months)

Backup copies of remote applications

Backup games you no longer play

Copies of smartphone settings you no longer use-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the backups of the current device if you plan to reset it to factory settings soon!

Once a week.

Once a month

Just before you drop your phone.

Never do.-->

3. Recycle Bin Cleanup: Why Are Deleted Files Still Taking Place?

Many users wonder, “I deleted these photos a month ago, why are they still taking up space?” The fact is that Xiaomi Cloud, like many other cloud services, has a shopping cart where files are stored for 30 days before final deletion.

To clear the basket:

1. Go to Xiaomi Cloud → Files → Recycle Bin (or Gallery → Albums → Recycle Bin if you use Mi Gallery).
2. Press the Control (or the basket icon in the upper right corner).
3. Select all files or select specific ones.
4. Press Delete Forever.

If you deleted files through Google Photos but they synced with Xiaomi Cloud, they could be duplicated in both services. Check the Recycle Bin in both apps!

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If you accidentally cleared the Recycle Bin, try recovering files through Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Data Recovery. This will only work if no more than 7 days have passed since the deletion.

4.Photo storage optimization: how to save up to 70% of space?

Original photos are the main culprit for the space shortage. One RAW photo with Xiaomi 13 Ultra can weigh up to 50-80MB! Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the volume without losing quality.

Method 1: Compression during loading

In the Xiaomi Cloud settings, you can enable the Optimized Quality option, which automatically compresses photos when you download.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Photos
2. Select the download quality.
3. Set the High (compression) instead of the Original.

This will reduce the weight of photos by 40-60% without any visible loss of quality.

Method 2: Removal of duplicates

The Mi Gallery app has a built-in tool to find duplicates, so you can use it:

1. Open the gallery.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Control → Duplicates.
3. Look at the duplicates found and remove the unnecessary ones.

Method 3: Transfer old photos to PC

If you have photos older than 1-2 years, you should transfer them to your hard drive or to another cloud (e.g. Google Drive).

• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB (file transfer).
• 📁 Copy the folder. DCIM computer.
• ☁️ Remove photos from Xiaomi Cloud.

5. Automatic synchronization setting: how to avoid unnecessary loads?

By default, Xiaomi Cloud syncs all data: photos, videos, notes, contacts, and even call recordings, many of which can be turned off to save space.

To set up synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud
2. Click on Data Synchronization.
3. Turn off unnecessary options: 📞 Call records – take up a lot of space and are rarely needed. 📝 Notes - if you do not use Mi Notes. 🎵 Music – if you store tracks on another service. 📱 Applications – backups of games and programs (you can leave only important ones).

It's also recommended that you turn off automatic video downloads. 4K videos weigh hundreds of megabytes, and you'd better download them manually.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Video
2. Turn off the Automatic Boot option.
3. Turn on Wi-Fi only if you want automatic synchronization.

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Disabling the synchronization of call records and notes can free up to 1-2 GB of space if you have been using a smartphone for a long time.

6.Cache and temporary files removal: Hidden gigabytes

Many people don’t know that Xiaomi Cloud stores cache and temporary files that can take up to 500 MB-1 GB. This data is not visible in the standard interface, but it can be deleted.

To clean the cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Cloud app (or Xiaomi Cloud in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Also click Clear Data, but keep in mind that this will reset your sync settings (you will have to log in again).

If the cache is not cleared, try rebooting the Xiaomi Cloud app:

1. Close the application through the multitasking menu.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Xiaomi Cloud → Forced Stop.
3. Run the app again.

Sometimes it helps to re-register an account (without loss of data):

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Press Exit.
3. Please log in again under the same account.

2. Purchase of additional space

If you really need more than 5GB, you can buy a premium subscription. 2026:

3.Using Mi PC Suite to Manage Files

The official Mi PC Suite program allows you to more flexibly manage files in the Xiaomi Cloud from a computer.

4.Discharge cloud to factory settings

The last method is to completely reset Xiaomi Cloud, which will delete ALL data without recovery, but free up all the space.

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your account.
2. Open the Settings. → Delete the account.
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
4. Create your account again (it will be impossible to recover the data!).

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Before resetting the cloud, export important data (contacts, photos, notes) to an external medium or other cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Cloud